Labour-Plaid must not rely on goodwill alone to reach targets for microgeneration - Bates

9.51.02am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 16th Apr 2008

Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for the Environment, Mick Bates AM, challenged the First Minister in the chamber today on how the Labour-Plaid Government plans to meet its targets for micro-generation, without the devolution of power over building regulations.

The Micro-generation Action Plan contains targets for the installation of 30,000 new micro-generation heating and electricity units by 2012 and 300,000 units by 2020. It also states that the Assembly Government would seek a decision on the devolution of building regulations by the end of 2007, with the aim of all new build housing to be carbon zero 2011.

Commenting Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates:

"The Labour-Plaid Government has set targets for microgeneration, but if we continue to rely on goodwill alone then we will not reach these targets. The best incentive to install microgeneration systems is to have power over building regulations, to legislate for better standards to help reduce carbon emissions and meet our climate change targets.

"With energy prices increasing microgeneration technology has huge potential to help people produce their own energy. This would help reduce energy bills and support the most vulnerable people in our communities who are suffering from fuel poverty.

"It is vital that Wales has the power to decide on its own priorities for increasing renewable energy in the home and set real targets supporting for microgeneration in Wales.

"For months now I have challenged the Labour-Plaid Assembly Government over its plans for ensuring the Welsh Assembly is given power over building regulations but still we have no progress.

"There must be more action to drive forward the green agenda in Wales. Microgeneration can play a huge part but we need well funded grant schemes for domestic installations, power over our own building regulations in Wales along with firm political backing and ambitious targets, not just aspirations and broken promises, if we are to truly develop a low carbon economy for the future."